Kia Company introduced collectively world bodybuilders on the 2025 International PBV Conversion Companions Day, held November 25–27, to strengthen collaboration inside the PBV (Platform Past Automobile) ecosystem and drive growth of numerous PBV fashions.
The occasion occurred throughout a number of places, together with Seoul and Hwaseong, that includes Kia’s Hwaseong EVO Plant and the PBV Expertise Heart in Pyeongtaek. About 120 individuals attended, together with Kia executives and representatives from bodybuilders throughout Korea, Europe, Japan, Africa, the Center East and Canada.
PBV conversion refers to creating and producing specialised fashions by using PBVs as a platform to fulfill prospects’ particular functions and desires. Kia organized the occasion to broaden conversion partnerships and construct a PBV ecosystem that fosters mutual development.
The PBV Conversion Partnership is a collaborative framework during which Kia offers automobile manufacturing and certification info, together with technical assist, enabling bodybuilders to provide a wide range of specialised fashions with complete-vehicle high quality. After finishing the required procedures, bodybuilders are formally designated as companions.
Kia has chosen 10 Korean bodybuilders as PBV Conversion Companions and goals to additional strengthen the PBV ecosystem by increasing partnerships with bodybuilders in different areas, together with roughly 10 in Europe. The occasion additionally featured a signing ceremony with newly appointed PBV Conversion Companions.
“Kia will strengthen collaboration with bodybuilders worldwide to ship automobiles and companies optimized for numerous enterprise environments,” stated Sangdae Kim, Govt Vice President and Head of PBV Enterprise Division at Kia Company. “We anticipate that this expanded collaboration will permit Kia to supply prospects high-quality conversion choices, speed up PBV adoption and construct a rising, interconnected ecosystem.”
On the occasion, Kia offered its PBV enterprise technique, the PBV Conversion Partnership program and its operational course to taking part bodybuilders and arranged a tour of AutoLand Hwaseong EVO Plant, Kia’s devoted PBV manufacturing facility.
Kia unveiled the mass-production mannequin of the PV5 — lately named the 2026 Worldwide Van of the 12 months — alongside a spread of conversion-ready configurations. These embody the Chassis Cab, that includes solely the chassis and passenger cabin, and the Donor Mannequin, pre-stripped of elements reminiscent of seats and inside trims for straightforward customization. The occasion additionally provided attendees the chance to expertise check drives.
Going ahead, Kia is about to host the International PBV Conversion Companions Day yearly as a daily occasion.
Earlier this month, Kia marked the completion of the Hwaseong EVO Plant East and broke floor on the EVO Plant West at AutoLand Hwaseong, establishing a PBV manufacturing hub with an annual capability of 250,000 models. The corporate additionally operates its devoted PBV Conversion Heart close by to co-develop specialised fashions with Korean and world companions.
